Bradley Barcola recently completed a big-money move from Paris Saint-Germain to Liverpool, having won the Champions League twice during his time in the French capital
Andoni Iraola is confident Bradley Barcola will come good at Liverpool
Andoni Iraola is confident Bradley Barcola will come good at Liverpool(Image: LFC)
Andoni Iraola insists Bradley Barcola is "in a good place" — despite the Frenchman's lack of preseason action.
Liverpool secured Barcola's services late in the summer transfer window after Paris Saint-Germain accepted a £123 million ($166 million) offer from the Reds. The 23-year-old is one of the best young players in European soccer, but he barely featured for PSG during preseason after a lengthy World Cup campaign with France, reaching the semifinals.
Barcola's transfer is eerily similar to Alexander Isak's switch from Newcastle to Liverpool a year ago. Like Barcola, Isak arrived on Merseyside late in the transfer window for a huge fee, having barely featured for his previous club in preseason.
Although Barcola remained available for selection during his last few weeks in the French capital (Isak effectively went on strike toward the end of his Newcastle career), the comparison between the two forwards is alarming.
Yet Iraola has tried to ease these concerns. Speaking ahead of Liverpool's Champions League game against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, Iraola was asked whether Barcola is ready to start. He replied: "He is ready to play more minutes.
"He has been training quite normally. Only thing is he hasn't had preseason minutes. But he is in a really good place."
Barcola didn't feature much for Paris Saint-Germain during the preseason
Barcola didn't feature much for Paris Saint-Germain during the preseason(Image: Getty Images)
Isak was regarded as one of the best forwards in England when he arrived on Merseyside this time last year, having scored 54 goals in 86 Premier League games for Newcastle.
Yet the Swedish striker struggled to nail down a spot in Liverpool's starting XI due to concerns about his fitness and the impressive form of Hugo Ekitike.
Isak suffered another setback at Christmas time when he broke his leg against Tottenham, ruling him out of action for several months.
At the end of his first season at Liverpool, the former Borussia Dortmund star had just three Premier League goals to his name.
Isak appears to have finally found his feet on Merseyside, having already matched his tally for last season this time around. Yet Iraola will not want Barcola to endure a similar debut campaign at Liverpool.
Barcola said after signing for Liverpool: "It took a long time, but I'm really happy today to be able to play for Liverpool, and all I want is to be on the pitch and be able to play.
"I hope to achieve very big things. First of all, winning the Premier League. It's one of my biggest dreams in my life.
"It is to do that and to stay in this team in the long term — that's why I signed a long contract – and I hope I can do it."